April 2013

USDA Horse Protection Program:

HIO Certification Process

In 1970, Congress passed the Horse Protection Act (HPA) to eliminate the abusive practice of soring by 

prohibiting the showing or selling of sored horses. The practice of soring horses is aimed at producing an 

exaggerated show gait for competition and is primarily used in the training of Tennessee Walking Horses, 

racking horses and related breeds. 

The HPA is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS). A 1976 amendment to the HPA led to the establishment of a third-party 

inspection program, referred to as the Designated Qualified Person (DQP) program, for the purpose of 

enforcing the HPA. A DQP is a person who is appointed by the management of a horse show or sale and 

given authority to detect horses that are sored, and to otherwise inspect horses for the purpose of 

enforcing the HPA. A DQP must meet the requirements set forth in Section 11.7 of the HPA regulations, 

and must be licensed by a horse industry organization or association (HIO) certified by USDA.

Any new HIO desiring USDA certification to train and license DQPs under the HPA shall submit to the 

APHIS administrator a formal request in writing for certification of its DQP program and a detailed outline 

of such program for USDA approval, in accordance with Section 11.7(b) of the HPA regulations. The 

outline must include the organizational structure of the HIO and the names of the officers or persons 

charged with the management of the HIO. The outline must also contain the following:

 the criteria to be used in selecting DQP candidates and the minimum qualifications and 

knowledge regarding horses each candidate must have in order to be admitted to the program

 a sample of a written examination which must be passed by DQP candidates for successful 

completion of the program along with sample answers and the scoring thereof, and proposed 

passing and failing standards

 the criteria to be used to determine the qualifications and performance abilities of DQP 

candidates selected for the training program and the criteria used to indicate successful 

completion of the training program

 the criteria and schedule for a continuing education program and the criteria and methods of 

monitoring and appraising the performance for continued licensing of DQPs by such HIO. A 

continuing education program for DQPs shall consist of not less than four hours of instruction per 

year.
 procedures for monitoring horses in the unloading, preparation, warm-up and barn areas, or other

such areas. Such monitoring may include any horse that is stabled, loaded on a trailer, being

prepared for show/exhibition/sale/auction, or exercised, or that is otherwise on the grounds of, or

present at, any horse show/exhibition/sale/auction.

 the methods to be used to insure uniform interpretation and enforcement of the HPA and its

associated regulations by DQPs, and uniform procedures for inspecting horses for compliance

with the HPA and its regulations

 standards of conduct for DQPs promulgated by the HIO in accordance with Section 11.7(d)(7) of

the HPA regulations

 a copy of the formal training program – classroom and practical – required to be completed by

each DQP candidate before being licensed by such HIO. This training program must, at

minimum, include:

 two hours of classroom instruction on the anatomy and physiology of the limbs of a horse

 two hours of classroom instruction on the HPA and its associated regulations and their

interpretation. Instructors for this course must be furnished or recommended by USDA.

 four hours of classroom instruction on the history of soring, the physical examination

procedures necessary to detect soring, the detection and diagnosis of soring, and related

subjects

 four hours of practical instruction in clinics and seminars utilizing live horses, including

methods and procedures required to perform a thorough and uniform examination

 one hour of classroom instruction regarding the DQP standards of conduct promulgated

by the licensing HIO

 one hour of classroom instruction on record-keeping and reporting requirements and

procedures

The HIOs that have formally requested USDA certification of their DQP training, enforcement and 

maintenance program will receive either a formal notice of certification from USDA or the reasons, in 

writing, why certification of such program cannot be approved. USDA cannot certify any new HIO unless it 

is in full compliance with all applicable HPA regulations.

Additional Information 

For more information contact: 

USDA Animal Care 

2150 Centre Ave.

Building B, Mailstop 3W11

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

E–mail: horseprotection@usda.gov

Phone: (970) 747-7478

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of 

race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, 
religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s 

income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 

etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of 

discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 

20250–9410, or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and 

employer.